Airbursts and the Pacific whale population decline

The population of Pacific gray whales has plummeted to its lowest point since the 1970s, with record-low calf numbers, following a period of "unusual mortality" from 2019 to 2023. Scientists are concerned that environmental changes, particularly in Arctic feeding grounds influenced by sea ice decline and ecosystem alterations, are impairing the whales' ability to reproduce and survive. Despite previous resilience, recent data suggests the gray whale population may be struggling to adapt to rapidly changing ecological conditions, raising alarms about their long-term recovery prospects. Pacific gray whale numbers have dropped to their lowest since the 1970s, with a significant decline in calf populations. The recent decline follows a period of an "unusual mortality event" from 2019 to 2023, which significantly reduced population numbers. 

What scientists are saying: Researchers suspect that changes in Arctic feeding grounds, driven by climate change and sea ice loss, are impacting whale reproduction and survival. The current population estimates are around 12,900 adults and 85 calves, down from previous counts of over 19,000 whales. The decline in calf numbers correlates with reductions in sea ice cover in the Bering and Chukchi seas, affecting nourishment and reproduction. Stranded dead whales along the West Coast, some emaciated, indicate ongoing health issues possibly linked to food scarcity. Experts emphasise that the population’s ability to rebound rapidly is declining, indicating stress on the gray whale's resilience in a changing environment.

Reality: See June 2 post (Fireballs and Gray whale strandings timeline in California), and May 10th post (San Francisco Bay Cetacean deaths). These two particular posts and others point out that meteor airbursts are the primary cause of whale deaths unrelated to ship strikes and net entanglement.

(Courtesy NOAA Fisheries)